End-of-life care needs in cancer patients: a qualitative study of patient and family experiences.
BMC Palliat Care
; 23(1): 157, 2024 Jun 21.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38907206
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Cancer is a disease that transcends what is purely medical, profoundly affecting the day-to-day life of both patients and family members. Previous research has shown that the consequences of cancer are greatly aggravated in patients at the end of life, at a time when they must also grapple with numerous unmet needs. The main objective of this study was to obtain more in-depth insight into these needs, primarily in patients with end-stage cancer nearing death.METHODS:
Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Spain with cancer patients at the end of life (n = 3) and their family members (n = 12). The findings from the interviews were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis and a grounded theory approach.RESULTS:
Four major themes emerged from the interviews that explored the needs and concerns of patients with cancer at the end of life (1) physical well-being (2) emotional well-being (3) social well-being and (4), needs relating to information and autonomous decision-making. The interviews also shed light on the specific needs of family members during this period, namely the difficulties of managing increased caregiver burden and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.CONCLUSIONS:
A lack of support, information and transparency during a period of immense vulnerability makes the end-of-life experience even more difficult for patients with cancer. Our findings highlight the importance of developing a more in-depth understanding of the needs of this population, so that informed efforts can be made to improve palliative healthcare and implement more comprehensive care and support at the end of life.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Cuidado Terminal
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Familia
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Investigación Cualitativa
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Neoplasias
Límite:
Adult
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Aged
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Aged80
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
País/Región como asunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
BMC Palliat Care
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
España